State AA Tournament Notebook: Two heads are better

March 16, 2007|By Deb Smith

Brothers Brent Norberg of Aberdeen Central and Brian Norberg of Watertown lend a helping hand during basketball season. Both boys' head coaches watch a lot of game film and share that knowledge. “During the season we talk quite a bit,” Brent said. “We exchange tape. We're familiar with our two teams. Ideally, we'd like to be on top of the league (Eastern South Dakota Conference) together. When they're not playing us, he hopes I win and I hope he wins. It's still fun to be coaching at the highest level in the state and I feel fortunate to do that.” Last year Watertown qualified for the State AA tournament and finished third. This season Central earned a state tournament berth but Watertown did not. “I went and watched him last year,” Brent said. “They played well and got third. He's already helped me out with a scouting report. One year we'll both get in.” Brandon Valley upsets Last week the Brandon Valley girls' basketball team entered the State AA tournament in Watertown as the number eight seed, and the Lynx upset the top rated Sioux Falls Roosevelt squad in the first round. This week the Brandon Valley boys' team is the top seed and heavy favorite. The Lynx the same from happening against the eighth-ranked Mitchell Kernels and veteran head coach Gary Munsen Thursday afternoon. The Lynx have won one state title, in 1998, and finished second in 2003. Brandon Valley has qualified for the last two state tournaments. In comparison, Mitchell has qualified for the state tournament in 10 of the last 11 seasons and during that time span won the crown in 1997 and 2005. In Munsen's 34 years, the Kernels have qualified for state 29 times and won it nine times. Munsen's career record for boys' varsity basketball is 586-253. He ranks second in wins to Larry Luitjens of Custer who started the season with a 617-224 record. Player evaluations The Aberdeen Central boys' basketball team starts four seniors this season. Head coach Brian Norberg talked about the strengths of each of the players. At 6-feet, Travis Kamm is called upon to be a defensive stopper and is assigned the opponent's biggest offensive weapon. “Travis defends a lot of different players,” said Norberg. “He defends even more players than we thought. He's done a nice job. He guards just about anybody we put him on.” Central's offense usually runs through Derek Miller. “With Derek we try to create tempo. A big key is his being left-handed. It makes him tougher to guard. He does a nice job of getting to the rim and he has different ways to finish. He's finally getting healthy after a bout with mononucleosis,” Norberg said. Michael Babcock will be remembered as a long range shooter but he has added to his game. “He's always been a great shooter,” said Norberg. “He's worked hard to become a complete player. He's a better defender and he takes the ball to the basket. He's a fierce competitor and really wants to win. He's consumed with trying to win.” The guy in the middle for the Golden Eagles is Jordan Foster. “He's one of our most improved players from last year,” Norberg said. “Defensively, he makes it hard on other teams. He's a good passer out of the post and that's one thing people don't realize. He made some big shots this year. He's giving his all every day and does what it takes to help the team.” Quickly

During the regular season the Aberdeen Central girls' basketball team beat both Watertown and Pierre, who played for the State AA championship last weekend. Watertown, which suffered its first loss of the season to the Golden Eagles, won the State AA title. The Central boys are the only ones who have beaten Brandon Valley this season. Coaches with ties A pair of coaches at the State AA tournament have ties to the area. Probably the best known is Sioux Falls O'Gorman's Derek Robey who coached at Aberdeen Roncalli and Aberdeen Central. Last season, his first with the Knights, Robey led O'Gorman to the state title. Robin Burgard of Sioux Falls Lincoln graduated from Redfield High School and Northern State. He has coached for 20 years including the last three at Lincoln. Returning teams Five of the eight State AA teams played in the tournament last season. Sioux Falls O'Gorman finished first followed by Brandon Valley in fourth, Sioux Falls Lincoln in fifth, Rapid City Stevens in seventh and Mitchell in eighth. Aberdeen Central, Sturgis and Yankton did not qualify last year. Spirit of Su This will be the 14th season that the Spirit of Su Award will be given in memory of SuAnne Big Crow. An outstanding basketball player and role model, she was killed in a car accident on her way to the Miss Basketball awards banquet in 1992. Three Aberdeen Central athletes have won the award honoring senior basketball players: Mark Rich in 1994, Chris Knight in 2000 and Laura Legge in 2003. Current Watertown boys' basketball coach Brian Norberg, who is a brother to Central coach Brent Norberg, won the award in 1995. Deb Smith is an American News Sports Writer and can be reached at (800) 925-4100, ext. 311; or e-mail debsmith@aberdeennews.com.